SOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG
The Indian Ministry of Defence’s (MoD) plan to develop a High-Altitude Long-Endurance (HALE) UAV program through the Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) model seems to be hitting a roadblock. This initiative, intended to leverage private sector expertise for indigenous military equipment development, is facing an unexpected hurdle – a preference for foreign collaboration among some potential Indian participants.
The MoD’s push for private involvement comes after the setbacks faced by the previous Tapas program led by DRDO’s ADE (Aeronautical Development Establishment). Delays and technical shortcomings plagued Tapas, prompting the MoD to seek a new approach. The SPV model was envisioned as a way to leverage private sector expertise and expedite the HALE UAV program.
Continue readingSOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG
India’s Defense Research and Development Organization (DRDO) is making strides in aerial warfare with the development of a new turbojet-powered loitering munition. This unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), essentially a flying bomb, boasts impressive capabilities designed to enhance the Indian military’s offensive edge.
With a range exceeding 100 kilometers, the drone can hit targets well beyond the immediate battlefield, offering strategic flexibility. Designed to function effectively day and night, even in harsh weather conditions, the drone ensures mission readiness in diverse scenarios.
Continue readingSOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG
French defence giant Naval Group has unveiled a compelling proposition for the Indian Navy’s upcoming Scorpene-class submarines. Their proposal centres on lithium-ion (Li-ion) battery technology, offering significant operational advantages over the conventionally used lead-acid batteries.
This collaboration leverages established expertise. Mazagon Dock Limited (MDL), having already constructed six Scorpène-class submarines for the Indian Navy (known as the Kalvari-class), will serve as the local partner for building these next-generation vessels.
Continue readingSOURCE: AFI
Russia appears to be making renewed efforts to woo India back into its fold regarding 5th-generation fighter jets. This comes after India recently greenlit its own AMCA program, raising questions about Russia’s motivations.
According to popular YouTube channel Bharat Tak, Russia is eager to showcase its Su-57 fighter jet in India. The purpose of this demonstration remains unclear. It’s uncertain whether this is at India’s request or a unilateral attempt by Russia to revive a struggling program.
Continue readingSOURCE: AFI
Pakistan’s quest to bolster its underwater defense capabilities with the Hangor-class submarines faces ongoing challenges, as evidenced by recent delays in the program.
In April 2015, Pakistan’s Ministry of Defence Production (MoDP) greenlit the acquisition of eight Air-Independent Propulsion (AIP) equipped submarines from China. This collaboration involved co-production, with Karachi Shipyards and Engineering Works (KSEW) building four submarines and the remaining four constructed by China Shipbuilding Industry Corporation (CSIC).
Continue readingSOURCE: AFI
India’s space agency, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), has announced a series of test flights leading up to its first-ever human space mission, Gaganyaan, according to ISRO Chief S Somanath.
Somanath stated that “two more uncrewed missions will happen next year” followed by the “manned mission, if everything goes well, by the end of next year.” “The airdrop test will happen on April 24. Then two more uncrewed missions will happen next year and then the manned mission, if everything goes well, by the end of next year,” Somanath said.
Continue readingSOURCE: AFI
A new study by military analyst Roderick Lee of the US Naval War College raises concerns about the academic selection process for Chinese submarine officers. Lee’s paper, published by the China Maritime Studies Institute, highlights a surprising trend: the People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) Submarine Academy consistently ranks among the lowest in entrance exam scores compared to other PLA institutions.
The report points out that the PLAN Engineering University, which trains submarine technical specialists, sits near the top in terms of average exam scores. This suggests a clear distinction: while engineers receive a rigorous academic selection, submarine commanders, excluding engineers, may be coming from a pool with lower academic performance.
Continue readingSOURCE: PTI
A state-of-the-art premier testing and evaluation hub for sonar systems meant for the Indian Navy was inaugurated by DRDO chairman Samir V Kamat on Wednesday, officials said. Submersible Platform for Acoustic Characterisation and Evaluation (SPACE) was inaugurated at Underwater Acoustic Research Facility, Kulamavu, in Idukki, Kerala, the defence ministry said in a statement.
Set up by the Naval Physical & Oceanographic Laboratory of the DRDO, SPACE has been designed as “a premier testing and evaluation hub for sonar systems destined for Indian Navy, onboard various platforms including ships, submarines and helicopters,” it said.
Continue readingSOURCE: ANI
The US has offered support for reforms to United Nations institutions, including the United Nations Security Council (UNSC), US State Department Principal Deputy Spokesperson Vedant Patel said in a press briefing on Wednesday.
When asked about Tesla CEO Elon Musk’s statement regarding India’s lack of a permanent seat at the UNSC, Vedant Patel said, “The President has spoken about this before in his remarks to the UN General Assembly, and the Secretary has alluded to this as well. We certainly support reforms to the UN institution, including the Security Council, to make it reflective of the 21st-century world that we live in. I don’t have any specifics to offer on what those steps are, but certainly, we recognise that there is a need for reform, but I will leave it at that for now.”
Continue readingSOURCE: PTI
The government has notified amendments to the foreign direct investment policy in the space sector to attract offshore investors in satellite manufacturing and satellite launch vehicles segments.
Amendment made in the FDI policy for space sector through a gazette notification dated April 16, 2024, prescribes liberalized entry route and provides clarity for FDI in satellites, launch vehicles and associated systems or subsystems, creation of spaceports for launching and receiving Spacecraft and manufacturing of space-related components and systems.
Continue readingSOURCE: PTI
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Wednesday said that India’s boundaries with its neighbours, including China and Pakistan, were “completely secure”.
The senior BJP leader Singh made the statement in an apparent reference to the Congress allegations that China has occupied around 2,000 square kilometres of Indian territory, taken over 26 out of 65 patrolling points in Ladakh and built complete villages 50-60 km deep inside Arunachal Pradesh.
Continue readingSOURCE: ANI
The Indian ambassador to Ukraine, Harsh Jain, paid a visit to Ivano-Frankivsk on Tuesday and met with governor Svitlana Onyshchuk as well as members of the Indian diaspora in the city. The Indian envoy also visited Ivano-Frankivsk National Medical University, met with the university’s Rector, Roman Yatsyshyn and interacted with the Indian students.
The Indian embassy in Ukraine took to X, stating, “Amb. Harsh Jain visited Ivano-Frankivsk on April 16. He met Governor Svitlana Onyshchuk, Rector of Ivano-Frankivsk National Medical University Roman Yatsyshyn, interacted with the Indian students and met with the members of Indian diaspora in the city. @MEAIndia @IndianDiplomacy.”
Continue readingSOURCE: ANI
A civilian, hailing from Bihar, was shot dead by the terrorists in the Bijbehara area of South Kashmir’s Anantnag district on Wednesday evening. According to Kashmir Police, the civilian, hailing from Bihar, identified as Raja Shah, was fired upon by the terrorists in Bijbehara. Taking to social media handle X, Kashmir Zone Police posted, “Terrorists fired upon and critically injured one person identified as Raju Shah, a resident of Bihar, at Jablipora Bijbehera, Anantnag.
” He has been evacuated to the hospital for treatment, and the area was cordoned off soon after the incident, said police. The police further informed, that the injured person, who was shot at by terrorists, succumbed to his injuries at the hospital. “The injured person, who was shot at by terrorists, succumbed to his injuries at the hospital.
Continue readingSOURCE: PTI
Sweltering conditions, a rough terrain and unavailability of drinkable water were some of the challenges faced by the security personnel during their encounter with Maoists in Chhattisgarh’s Kanker district, a police officer said on Wednesday. But their toil and struggle did not go to waste as 29 Maoists were killed in the operation that took place near Binagunda village under Chhotebethiya police station limits, he said.
Around 200 personnel of the state police’s District Reserve Guard and the Border Security Force were involved in the operation that took place on Tuesday.
Continue readingSOURCE: PTI
Two terror suspects were arrested from Anantnag district of Jammu and Kashmir on Wednesday following the recovery of arms and ammunition from their possession, the Army said.
“On specific Intelligence input, a joint operation was launched by #IndianArmy & @JmuKmrPolice on 17 Apr at Naina, Bijbehara in Anantnag. Two suspected individuals have been apprehended along with the recovery of one Weapon, one Hand Grenade and other war-like stores,” Srinagar-based Chinar Corps of the Army posted on X.
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